Agapanthus plant named ‘PMB012’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Agapanthus  cultivar named ‘PMB012’ is disclosed, characterized by bi-color blue and white flowers. Flowers can be standard 6 tepaled, or having up to 12 tepals. Flowering begins early to mid Summer. Plants are distinctively compact with upright foliage and a mature height near 50 cm. The new variety is an  Agapanthus , typically produced as an outdoor ornamental plant.

Latin name of the genus and species: Agapanthus orientalis.

Variety denomination: ‘PMB012’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar is the product of a controlled breeding program withthe objective to produce new Agapanthus orientalis varieties withbi-color flowers, moderate plant heights which are easy to propagate.The new variety is the result of the self-pollination of an unpatented,proprietary Agapanthus orientalis developed as part of the breedingprogram. The self-pollination resulting in the new variety was conductedduring 2008.

The new variety was selected by the inventor at a research nursery inPine Mountain, Australia in January 2011. After identifying theinteresting new plant, the inventor divided the original plant andsubsequent propagules over several years, to establish stability.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘PMB012’ was first performed bydivision in Pine Mountain, Australia, during Spring 2011, on a verylimited basis. Access to all plants was restricted, as plants were keptin a location not open to the public, at the inventor's nursery. Throughsubsequent propagation, multiple generations have been reproduced, whichhave shown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable andreproduced true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘PMB012’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, day length, and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘PMB012’. These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘PMB012’ as a new and distinct Agapanthuscultivar:

-   -   1. Violet-blue and white bi-color flowers.    -   2. Distinctively small individual flowers.    -   3. Compact foliage.    -   4. Vigorous growth and ease of propagation.    -   5. Flowering begins mid to late Summer.    -   6. Flowering occurs in less than 12 months from potting a rooted        plantlet.    -   7. Individual flowers may be single, with 6 tepals, or having up        to 12 tepals.

PARENT COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘PMB012’ are similar to the parent in mosthorticultural characteristics. However, the new variety is differs inthe following:

-   -   1. Mature height to 50 cm, the parent variety has a mature        height of 120 cm.    -   2. Individual flowers are multi-tepaled, as well as standard 6        tepaled. The parent variety flowers are all standard 6-tepaled.    -   3. The new variety has broad, erect foliage, the parent variety        has arching foliage.    -   4. The new variety seeds seed infrequently and small quantities,        the parent variety sets seed more regularly and in greater        abundance.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘PMB012’ are similar to the unpatentedcommercial variety Agapanthus orientalis ‘PMB011’, U.S. Plant Pat. No.26,475 in most horticultural characteristics. The new variety, however,differs in the following:

-   -   1. Flowering begins mid to late Summer, the comparator begins        flowering early to mid-Spring.    -   2. ‘PMB012’ produces flowers with more than 6 tepals, as well as        6 tepaled flowers. The comparator only produces flowers with 6        tepals.    -   3. The new variety seeds seed infrequently and small quantities,        this comparator variety sets seed more regularly and in greater        abundance.    -   4. Foliage of the new variety is wider.    -   5. Peduncles of the new variety are shorter.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘PMB012’ are similar to the commercialvariety Agapanthus praecox orientalis ‘PMN06’, U.S. Plant Pat. No.24,651, in most horticultural characteristics. The new variety, however,differs in the following:

-   -   1. Mature height to 50 cm, this comparator variety has a mature        height of 120 to 150 cm.    -   2. Individual flowers are multi-tepaled, as well as standard        tepaled. This comparator variety flowers are all standard non        multi-tepaled.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color a closeup of the inflorescence of ‘PMB012’.

FIG. 2 illustrates in full color typical plants of ‘PMB012’ atapproximately 10 months of age from a rooted plug.

The photographs were taken using conventional techniques and althoughcolors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectanceit is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart 2007, except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observationsand measurements describe ‘PMB012’ plants grown outdoors in PineMountain, Australia. Plants are approximately 1 year old, measurementstaken in January. Temperatures over the course of the year ranged fromapproximately 3° C. to 27° C. at night and 3° C. to 38° C. during theday. No artificial light, photoperiodic treatments were given to theplants. No chemical treatments were given to plants. Measurements andnumerical values represent averages of typical plant types.

-   Botanical classification: Agapanthus orientalis ‘PMB012’.

PROPAGATION

-   Root description: Thick, fleshy root system colored near    Greyed-Orange 164D and Orange-White 159C.

PLANT

-   Container size and age: 14 cm, approximately 10 months.-   Growth habit: Clump forming tender perennial with upright foliage.-   Height: Foliar plane 38 cm. Flowering plane approximately 48 cm.-   Plant spread: Approximately 30 cm.-   Growth rate: Moderate.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf:    -   -   Average leaf length.—Average 20 cm.        -   Average leaf width.—Average 4.0 cm.        -   Arrangement.—Basal, irregular whorls.        -   Shape of blade.—Linear.        -   Apex.—Acute.        -   Base.—Cuneate.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Texture of top surface.—Smooth.        -   Texture of bottom surface.—Smooth.        -   Quantity of leaves per plant.—Average 40 to 55.        -   Color.—Mature and young foliage is the same color. Upper            blade: Near Green 143A. Lower Blade: Near Green 143A.        -   Venation.—Type: Linear. Venation color upper side:            Indistinguishable from leaf blade. Venation color under            side: Indistinguishable from leaf blade.

FLOWER

-   Natural flowering season: Beginning in early to mid Summer, lasting    until Fall in temperate Australia.-   Length of flowering period: Approximately 9 to 12 weeks.-   Inflorescence type: Terminal Umbel with approximately 40 to 50    individual flowers and approximately 10 to 20 buds. Approximately 4    to 12 umbels produced during the peak flowering season.-   Individual flower type: Both single, having 6 tepals and    multi-tepaled flowers within the same inflorescence.-   Flower profile: Funnelform.-   Bud:    -   -   Shape.—Ovate.        -   Shape.—Narrow ovate.        -   Length.—Approximately 1.2 cm.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 0.7 cm.        -   Color.—Near White 155A, base flushed Violet-Blue 94C.-   Umbel size:    -   -   Diameter.—Average 18 cm.        -   Height.—Average 10 cm.-   Corolla:    -   -   Arrangement.—Apetalous, single, and double campanulate            flowers composed of 6 to 12 basally fused tepals, shaped            into a flared trumpet.        -   Size.—Length: Approximately 2.8 cm. Width: Approximately 1.5            cm at widest point. Lobe Length: Approximately 1.8 cm. Lobe            Width: Average 0.7 cm.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Shape.—Lanceolate.        -   Apex.—Broadly acute.        -   Texture.—Glabrous all surfaces.-   Color:    -   -   Tepals.—When opening: Outer surface: Near White N155A, base            flushed Violet-Blue 94C. Inner surface: Near White N155A,            base flushed Violet-Blue 94C. Fully opened: Outer surface:            White N155A, base flushed Violet-Blue 94C. Inner surface:            White N155A, base flushed Violet-Blue 94C.        -   Sepals.—Not Present.-   Fragrance: Faint musty scent.-   Pedicels:    -   -   Length.—Average range 1 to 1.5 cm.        -   Width.—Approximately 0.2 cm.        -   Aspect.—Mainly straight.        -   Color.—Near RHS Green 143A.-   Scape:    -   -   Length.—Average 38 cm.        -   Width.—Approximately 1.2 cm.        -   Angle.—Upright from center of plant, mainly straight, with            very slight curvature.        -   Strength.—Very strong.        -   Color.—Near RHS Green 137A, very slightly flushed near            Greyed-Purple N186A.-   Flower filament color: Near White N155A.-   Flower anther color: Near Violet N92A.-   Flower style color: Near White N155A.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Stamens:    -   -   Number.—Average 6.        -   Filament length.—Approximately 2.1 cm.        -   Filament color.—Near White N155A.        -   Anther length.—0.2 cm.        -   Anther color.—Near Violet N92A.        -   Pollen.—Scant, colored near Violet-Blue 91C.-   Pistil:    -   -   Number.—1.        -   Length.—Approximately 2.8 cm.        -   Style color.—Near White N155A.        -   Stigma.—Shape: Linear. Color: Near RHS White N155A.        -   Ovary color.—Near RHS Yellow-Green 145B.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Seed production: Scant seed production. Black seeds, oblong,    approximately 1 cm long by 6 mm wide.-   Disease resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility to normal    diseases and pests of Agapanthus.-   Temperature tolerance: Typically USDA zones 7b through 11.-   Drought tolerance: Will tolerate considerable dryness once    established.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Agapanthus plantnamed ‘PMB012’ as herein illustrated and described.